Chapter 465: The False Fengnu
Chapter 465: The False Fengnu
Before this, no one would have questioned Gongsun Liuying's medical skills, and even fewer would dare to make a diagnosis different from hers.
But just now, Meng Qianqian had proven her capabilities by treating a patient Gongsun Liuying had failed to cure, and saving the life of someone Gongsun Liuying had almost killed.
What could be more convincing than facts?
If one thought that Jiang Huifei's strength ended there, they would be sorely mistaken.
Before Gongsun Liuying could defend herself, Jiang Huifei continued without pause, "As a physician, if you misdiagnose, you're foolish. But if you diagnose correctly and deliberately lie, you're malicious! If you think you can deceive this palace and His Majesty, then you're both foolish and malicious!"
Others might fear Gongsun Liuying's status as the Fengnu, but she never believed in such things.
What National Guardian Qilin, what Tianming Fengnu, these were merely means for some to charm His Majesty.
The sudden invitation of Master Ziwu by the Crown Prince's Mansion was most likely just another charlatan pretending to be divine.
In her eyes, the whole affair of the true and false Qilin was nothing more than a ploy in the struggle for succession.
She didn't care about the scheming and tactics between the Crown Prince's Mansion and the Jin Prince's Mansion, nor did she want to get involved.
If Hu Guifei had not targeted her, she wouldn't have to be so blunt.
The Liang Emperor's gaze gradually turned sharp.
Everyone felt a palpable sense of Tianzi Wei yi, and they unconsciously held their breath.
The hall suddenly fell silent.
The Empress stepped in to smooth things over, "Huifei, Liuying has treated so many patients. Her medical skills and character are well-known to His Majesty and the people of the Imperial City. Today's matter must be a misunderstanding."
Jiang Huifei scoffed, "I heard it was the Empress who suggested that Miss Gongsun take Lu Linyuan's pulse. How convenient! Lu Linyuan has been in the palace for quite some time, yet the Empress never showed concern for him until this critical moment, suddenly displaying such filial affection."
"I also heard that the Grand Commander of Da Zhou has Han Zheng. Previously, the Pavilion Master of Qianji Pavilion suspected that Lu Linyuan was impersonating the Grand Commander. Such an obvious frame-up, Your Majesty, please explain!"
The Empress was left speechless.
The Hui Xuan Biao she had fired had finally returned to her, and with such speed and surprise.
Huifei was known for her tiger-like temperament.
But the Empress had not expected her to be this fierce.
How dare she speak so boldly?
If not for Gongsun Liuying's mistake, today's events would have been seamless. The Empress had not shown concern for Lu Yuan before because, as a junior, he had not paid her respects either.
The Liang Emperor clearly wanted to protect the two children, not letting them suffer even the slightest grievance and not wanting them to establish any rules in front of anyone.
The Empress's actions were appropriate and correct.
Today, Lu Yuan had come to attend to her, and as the Imperial Maternal Grandmother, it was only natural for her to show some affection and ask Gongsun Liuying to take his pulse, a simple task.
Any grandmother would do the same.
Regarding the diagnosis of Han Zheng, the Liang Emperor might later realize that they were targeting Lu Linyuan, but as long as they confirmed he was Lu Yuan, they would not only be blameless but also meritorious.
The critical issue now was that Gongsun Liuying's medical skills had been discredited.
Confirming Lu Linyuan as Lu Yuan had turned into slandering Lu Linyuan as Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan's face was filled with shock, and his wounded gaze swept across the Empress, Hu Guifei, the Jin Prince, and Lu Qi. He said with a heartbroken expression, "So... so you all... wanted to harm me..."
His body trembled, and his look of sorrow was so profound that the palace attendants couldn't help but shed tears.
Lin Yuan Shao was too pitiful...
What had he done to deserve such a trap? It must be said that with his stunningly beautiful face, Lu Yuan was indeed too good at bewitching people's hearts.
Lu Zhaoyan couldn't bear to watch anymore.
Enough was enough.
Lu Yuan spoke with a mix of grievance and disappointment, "I thought that by finding my father and grandfather, I would have a home for the rest of my life. I would no longer be called a fatherless bastard, and my mother and I would no longer have to wander the streets for a few coins... I never imagined that in this family, so many people wanted me gone... Since no one welcomes me back, I'll leave."
Lu Zhaoyan grabbed his sleeve, "Yuan..."
"Your Majesty, you are still in your prime. It's not too late to remarry and have more children. Pretend that my mother and I never existed."
After saying this calmly, Lu Yuan brushed off Lu Zhaoyan's hand, turned around, and walked out of the side hall alone.
"Zhaoshao."
He called out to Bao Zhuzhu, who was playing with Nie Xiaogongzi in the mud, "Let's go."
Bao Zhuzhu looked up, "Where to?"
Lu Yuan patted the little guy's head, "To find a new home."
"Bao Zhuzhu tilted her head, her eyes widening. "Why? Does Tai Gega not want us anymore?"
The words 'Tai Gega doesn't want us' felt like a sharp knife piercing the heart of the Liang Emperor.
The Liang Emperor's heart ached with pain.
Bao Zhuzhu wriggled free from Lu Yuan's hand and dashed towards the Liang Emperor, tears welling up in her eyes. "Tai Gega, you don't want Zhaoshao anymore?"
"Waaah—"
Nie'er, left behind, burst into tears. "I want Zhaoshao—I want Zhaoshao—Zhaoshao, don't leave—Waaah—Zhaoshao, don't go—"
Bao Zhuzhu's chubby little body shuddered, almost startled by her little brother's outburst.
"Waaah—Zhaoshao—Waaah—Zhaoshao, don't leave—"
The five-year-old's cries carried the weight of a tragic separation.
Jiang Huifei asked the wet nurse to bring Nie'er over and held her in her arms. "Nie'er, don't cry..."
Nie'er wailed, "I want Zhaoshao—I won't let Zhaoshao go—"
The Liang Emperor was genuinely stunned by the child's crying. After a moment, he reacted and quickly pulled Bao Zhuzhu into his embrace. "Who said Tai Gega doesn't want Zhaoshao?"
Bao Zhuzhu asked hesitantly, "Then, does Tai Gega want Father?"
The Liang Emperor replied without hesitation, "Of course! If I don't want him, wouldn't Zhaoshao be without a father?"
Bao Zhuzhu kept stealing glances at Meng Qianqian.
Even without a father, having a mother is good enough.
Lu Yuan stared at the Liang Emperor, bewildered. "Imperial Maternal Grandfather..."
The Liang Emperor's expression turned solemn. "You are my Huang Changsun. I'll see who dares to drive you away!"
Huang Changsun?!
Jin Wang's face changed. "Father!"
As the eldest son, he understood the importance of respecting seniority.
The Liang Emperor was clearly elevating Lu Linyuan's status.
Even if Lu Qi remained the National Guardian Qilin, in the future, when he met Lu Linyuan, he would have to respectfully address him as 'Big Brother.'
Nie'er climbed down from Jiang Huifei's lap and, gathering her courage, approached the Liang Emperor. She raised her little head and said, "Your Majesty, you are the best emperor in the world!"
"Hahahaha!"
The Liang Emperor burst into laughter.
Nie'er spoke to Bao Zhuzhu, "Zhaoshao, you don't have to leave. Let's go play."
"Mhm!"
Bao Zhuzhu nodded, jumped down, and with an adorable skip, she walked towards Meng Qianqian and hugged her leg tightly.
Lu Zhaoyan's eyebrows twitched, and she turned to look at Lu Yuan.
What was this all about? Lu Yuan grimaced, thinking, This kid is adding drama again.
Meng Qianqian suppressed the urge to press the little one into her arms and smother her with kisses. Instead, she restrained herself and gently patted her little head.
Bao Zhuzhu closed her eyes, contented.
Then, the two little ones held hands and played together, innocent and carefree.
The Liang Emperor's gaze returned to Gongsun Liuying's face. "Miss Gongsun, I'll ask you once more. Is my grandson truly afflicted with Han Zheng?"
Everyone's attention shifted to Gongsun Liuying.
Gongsun Liuying's expression turned serious. "The pulse I just diagnosed indicates Han Zheng."
Empress Dowager Hu's eyes flickered. "Liuying, is there a way to alter one's pulse in this world? Perhaps Yu'er doesn't have Han Zheng, but he used some method to forcibly change his pulse?"
Jiang Huifei smiled. "Empress Dowager, are you suggesting that Yu'er deliberately altered his pulse to mislead Miss Gongsun's diagnosis, and then colluded with a disciple from Thousand Mechanism Pavilion to embarrass Miss Gongsun? Do you believe what you're saying?"
"You—"
Empress Dowager Hu was silenced once again by Jiang Huifei.
If she couldn't win in a fight, she couldn't even win in an argument. How frustrating!
Meng Qianqian spoke up. "Lin Yuan Shao doesn't have Han Zheng."
Lu Yuan sighed. "You two are contradicting each other. Whom should I believe? Should I treat him or not?"
Gongsun Liuying: "Treat him."
Meng Qianqian: "There's no need to treat him."
Gongsun Liuying's voice turned cold. "I am your senior sister."
Meng Qianqian replied calmly, "Senior sister, no need to thank me."
(Chapter End)
"Jiang Huifei mocked with a smile, 'Elder Yan, are you afraid of attracting trouble?'
Among those present, who wasn't a thousand-year-old old fart?
Who couldn't see through this self-preserving trick?
Lu Zhaoyan spoke with gravity, 'Yuan, in my opinion, we should trust Miss Gongsun.'
Lu Yuan said, 'She almost killed someone. Are you sure you want me to listen to her? Are you my real father? Or are you unwilling to let go of Lu Qi's wild son?'
Lu Qi was completely baffled. Why drag him into their argument?
Lu Zhaoyan's expression turned stern. 'Miss Gongsun is a disciple of the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles.'
Lu Yuan scoffed, 'Who knows if that's true? Maybe someone else cured the illness, and she's just taking credit! If she really treats him, she might just mess it up.'
'She'll mess it up.'
Outside the hall, Bao Zhuzhu played with mud, mimicking the words.
Nie'er jumped and danced, 'She'll mess it up! She'll mess it up!'
Gongsun Liuying, Empress Dowager Hu, Prince Jin, and the Empress all felt embarrassed.
Lu Zhaoyan's face turned solemn. 'Miss Gongsun is a Phoenix Maiden!'
Lu Yuan looked up to the heavens. 'She almost killed someone. A fake Phoenix Maiden.'
Bao Zhuzhu molded the mud. 'Fake Phoenix Maiden.'
Nie'er clapped her hands. 'Fake Phoenix Maiden! Fake Phoenix Maiden!'
Following the footsteps of the leader, a qualified little brother indeed.
Nai Nang hurriedly covered the little master's mouth.
Oh, dear ancestors, one tiger in the family is enough. You can't be more tiger-like than the Empress!
Lu Zhaoyan's voice turned stern. 'Enough! Don't take advantage of your grandfather the Emperor's favor and speak without restraint! Miss Gongsun did make a mistake today, but we can't deny her past achievements and her identity as a Phoenix Maiden just because of one mistake!'
'She claims to be a Phoenix Maiden. Is there any proof? I'd say she is one too!'
Lu Yuan pointed at Meng Qianqian, 'Hey, Phoenix Maiden.'
Bao Zhuzhu mimicked, 'Phoenix Maiden.'
Nie'er jumped up, 'Phoenix Maiden! Phoenix Maiden!'
Nai Nang was too late to cover her mouth; she was almost scared to death.
The Liang Emperor's sharp gaze swept across everyone's faces, lingering slightly longer on Gongsun Liuying's face, before finally settling on Yan Elder, 'Recently, my migraines have been acting up again. I wonder if the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has a way to alleviate my headache?'
Yan Madam replied, 'Among the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles, there's a set of treatments to alleviate migraines. However, my talent is shallow, and I haven't grasped its essence.'
The Liang Emperor asked Meng Qianqian, 'Miss Yan.'
Meng Qianqian replied, 'This treatment consists of seventy-seven needles in total. If Your Majesty trusts this subject, I will administer the needles immediately.'
Yan Madam's voice turned cold, 'How dare you! Can you treat the Emperor's body? You're overestimating your abilities!'
Meng Qianqian replied calmly, 'Births may have high and low, but medical skills know no nobility. If I can cure, why shouldn't I?'
The Liang Emperor looked deeply into Meng Qianqian's eyes, 'Good, you will administer the needles for me.'
Meng Qianqian bowed, 'As you wish.'
Yan Madam opened her mouth, 'You...'
The Empress worriedly said, 'Your Majesty, please reconsider.'
Jiang Huifei instructed, 'Bring the folding screen.'
Empress Dowager Hu glared at her, 'Do you want to kill His Majesty?'
Jiang Huifei had no spousal affection for His Majesty, so if the old man wanted to die, let him; she wouldn't be heartbroken.
The palace servants brought the folding screen and the woven chair.
The Liang Emperor only kept Eunuch Yu to attend to him behind the screen.
'Please, Your Majesty, loosen your robe.'
Meng Qianqian spoke.
Eunuch Yu loosened the Emperor's robe.
Everyone's hearts rose to their throats, even Lu Zhaoyan felt a bit worried for his daughter-in-law.
The only one who remained calm was Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan moved to Yan Madam's side and casually asked, 'Elder Yan, I heard that only Heaven's Chosen Daughter can master the highest level of the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles. Is that true?'
Yan Madam thought for a moment and said, 'The Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles left by the Ancestral Master are incomplete. After so many years, no one has been able to comprehend the full set of needle techniques. Gradually, rumors spread that only Heaven's Chosen Daughter can decipher the missing scrolls.'
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and looked past Yan Madam at Gongsun Liuying, 'Did Miss Gongsun decipher them?'
Gongsun Liuying ignored him.
As Meng Qianqian administered the needles to the Liang Emperor, he observed her closely.
Calm and composed in the face of danger, unmoved by the collapse of Mount Tai, she was one who could handle great matters.
'Thirty-seven needles.'
Eunuch Yu reported each needle.
'Thirty-eight needles.'
'...Forty-seven needles.'
'Forty-eight needles.'
'Slow.'
Just as Meng Qianqian was about to administer the last needle to the Liang Emperor, he stopped her wrist.
His voice carried an air of authority, 'Miss Gongsun, you will complete the final needle for me.'
Gongsun Liuying froze.
Oh dear, the old ones are the spiciest! Enjoy this 4000-word chapter, everyone!
(End of Chapter)
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